From practical formats for picnics to the freshest styles suited to summer, these cool drops have the warmer months covered, writes wine editor Jo Burzynska.

Homegrown prosecco

Balvonie Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle Prosecco 2023, $35

As Prosecco’s unstoppable popularity continues worldwide, we now have our own expressions. Balvonie’s sophisticated example is the first from Marlborough, and one of only a few in Aotearoa. Made from the Glera grape that’s grown in Italy’s Prosecco vineyards, the Balvonie expresses the variety’s classic pear and white peach fruit, hints of honeysuckle and crisp lemon. The methode traditionnelle – which is actually not traditional for Italian Prosecco – has added extra texture and complexity without detracting from its pure fruit. A promising first release. From Moore Wilsons, Balvonie.nz

Wine on tap

Mount Edward “Big Ted” Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023, $95 for 2l

No need to lug heavy bottles to your picnic when you can drink top-quality organic wine from a cardboard cylinder. I had no idea this pinot noir hailed from a cask when I tried it blind and noted its richly fruited palate, full of black cherries and roasted spice, with an appealing freshness and velvety texture. This fabulous wine’s inside the latest monofilament packaging that’s fully recyclable, keeps its contents fresher for longer and has less than half the carbon footprint of the same wine in bottles. Great for those occasional glasses at home too. From Farro Fresh, Glengarry, Regional Wines & Spirits Wellington, Advintage Havelock North, Waiheke Winemakers Centre, Mountedward.com

Rosé in a can

Alpha Domus Beatrix Sparkling Rosé NV, $36 for 4 x 250ml

Another lighter format suited to al fresco imbibing is the can, which has also undergone both a quality and image upgrade. Family-owned Alpha Domus has just released its popular Beatrix sparkling rosé in a can, made from merlot from the winery’s newly fully organic-certified vineyards. It’s a light 8.9% alcohol, which works well in a can, whose volume is equivalent to a couple of glasses. A drier style, this vegan-friendly fizz offers a generous mouthful of strawberries and cream, and burst of crisp citrus. From Farro Fresh, Glengarry.

Fresh blend

Brood Fermentation Lemonade Cake Nelson 2023, $33

A fragrant melange of every grape Brood grows in its organic dry-farmed Nelson vineyards. Skin-contact Gewurztraminer and sauvignon blanc form the perfumed heart of this blend, joined by pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay and riesling. Different and delicious, this intriguing combination has created a fresh and textural amber-hued wine with perfumed notes of rosewater, a za’atar-like spicy herb fusion, notes of mandarin, white and red berry fruits, and tangy citrus. From Cahns Wine Shop Auckland, By the Bottle Auckland, Point Chev Organic Wines Auckland, Puffin Wellington and Vino Fino Christchurch.

Chilled red

Light in colour, body and alcohol, the Vermillion is perfect lightly chilled on a warm day. Part of this organic Sangiovese was made like a rose, the other like a red wine. Juicy and moreish, it’s a successful synthesis of styles with its bright crunchy freshness, delicate raspberry and strawberry fruits, floral hints, food-friendly grip, and savoury herbal spine. From By the Bottle, Neat Hamilton, Vino Fino, Point Chevalier Organics, Puffin Wellington, Halcyonwines.nz

New vintage

Ahi Kā Blackmore Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024, $25

Summer is a great time for cracking wines from the latest vintage. A recent tasting of the Appellation Marlborough Wines Annual Collection highlighted 2024 as a perfectly formed, if small vintage for the country’s flagship variety. One of my picks of the new crop is the bright and zingy Blackmore Vineyard Sauvignon from Ahi Kā, the sauvignon-focused label launched last vintage by Marlborough wine power couple Matt Thomson and Master of Wine, Sophie Parker-Thomson. It’s taut, minerally and stylish, powered by a juicy line of lime and grapefruit, over notes of blackcurrant and elderflower. From First Glass Wine & Spirits Auckland, Vino Fino Christchurch, Ahikawine.com

Zesty variety

Takahiro K by Takahiro Koyama Tussock Terrace North Canterbury Riesling 2024, $38

Freshness, lower alcohol and delicacy are wine characteristics suited to the warmer months, and are all to be found in this beautifully balanced Riesling from the new label of winemaker, Takahiro Koyama. Succulent pink grapefruit, red apple, white peach and mandarin fruit combine, with notes of stony mineral and white flowers, leading to a dry finish in this hand-harvested wine from classic Riesling country. From Great Little Vineyards Auckland, Fine O Wines Remuera, Cahn’s Wines and Spirits Auckland, Regional Wines Wellington, Vino Fino Christchurch

On the rocks

Scapegrace x Prophet’s Rock White Vermouth, $72

So, this isn’t a wine, but rather a vermouth that comes from “a fine wine angle” according to Prophet’s Rock’s Paul Pujol. This successful collaboration has seen the Central Otago winery partner with Scapegrace, which recently opened its major new distillery nearby on the banks of Lake Dunstan. The white vermouth is made from a single parcel of pinot gris fortified by Scapegrace spirit, with the addition of tinctures Pujol made from locally foraged botanicals. It’s citrussy and creamy, with bitter herbal notes of thyme, wormwood and kānuka, and floral lift of elderflower. Great on an arid Otago day over ice, with chilled soda or in a martini. From Glengarry’s.

More summer entertaining ideas

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